He served in the military during the Korean War, then formed a group with his brother David Lastie, which backed Big Joe Turner on tour throughout North America.
He worked as a studio musician in the 1950s, including on recordings by Roy Brown, and played in a band led by Clarence Samuels alongside Ornette Coleman.
In 1961, he co-founded AFO Records[3] and worked with them as a producer and studio player both in New Orleans and after the company moved to Los Angeles.
He played extensively on soul and jazz recordings, including by Sam Cooke, Hank Crawford, Lou Donaldson (Alligator Bogaloo, 1967), Dr. John, Aretha Franklin ("(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"), Barbara George, Eddie Harris, Little Sonny Jones, Herbie Mann, David "Fathead" Newman, Dave Pike and The Rascals.
[3] The song "Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries" from the album Uno Dos Tres 1•2•3, written by Lastie and Bobo, was performed by Santana at Woodstock.